Mezzour: Reviewing official holidays requires economic and social discussions

Reviewing Morocco's official holidays necessitates comprehensive discussions involving all stakeholders from both public and private sectors to address economic and social implications, according to Ghita Mezzour, the Minister Delegate for Digital Transition and Administration Reform.

Mezzour explained that the public sector observes 17 days of holidays, encompassing religious and national occasions, as stipulated by a 1977 decree. The private sector has 13 such days, as outlined in a 2004 decree. She noted that many private institutions follow the public sector's holiday schedule. Compared to other Arab nations, Morocco's 17 official holidays are considered a substantial number, with Egypt having 13, Algeria 9, and Tunisia 15.

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The study of the possibility of reviewing the decrees organizing the holidays set for official and religious holidays requires the involvement of all actors in the public and private sectors to address the subject from various economic and social aspects.

Regarding religious holidays like Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr, Mezzour pointed out that while many Islamic countries observe one to three days, Morocco, like other nations, suspends work in state administrations and local authorities on specific religious and national events. She also highlighted that exceptional leave, or permission to be absent, can be granted for up to 10 days per year for family or exceptional reasons. This system aims to ensure fair labor practices for employees while maintaining the continuity of public services.

Mezzour further referenced a 2005 decree that allows the Head of Government to grant exceptional closures for state administrations and local authorities on specific occasions. She cited examples from recent years where exceptional holidays were granted for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha in 2026, including an additional day off on Monday, March 15, 2026, for Eid al-Fitr and a paid holiday on Friday, May 29, 2026, for Eid al-Adha.

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Compared to some Arab countries, Morocco has a very satisfactory number of official holidays during which work is suspended (17 days), compared to 13 in Egypt, 9 in Algeria, and 15 in Tunisia.